Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2018 Feb 1;15(1-2):36-44.

Cognitive Impairment Associated with Cancer: A Brief Review

J Cara Pendergrass  1   2 , Steven D Targum  1   2 , John E Harrison  1   2
Affiliations
Review

Cognitive Impairment Associated with Cancer: A Brief Review

J Cara Pendergrass et al. Innov Clin Neurosci. .

Abstract

This brief review explores the areas of cognitive impairment that have been observed in cancer patients and survivors, the cognitive assessment tools used, and the management of the observed cognitive changes. Cognitive changes and impairment observed in patients with cancer and those in remission can be related to the direct effects of cancer itself, nonspecific factors or comorbid conditions that are independent of the actual disease, and/or the treatments or combination of treatments administered. Attention, memory, and executive functioning are the most frequently identified cognitive domains impacted by cancer. However, the prevalence and extent of impairment remains largely unknown due to marked differences in methodology, definitions of cognitive impairment, and the assessment measures used. Assessment of cognitive functioning is an important and necessary part of a comprehensive oncological care plan. Research is needed to establish a better understanding of cognitive changes and impairments associated with cancer so that optimal patient outcomes can be achieved.

Keywords: Cognition; cancer; chemotherapy; cognitive impairment; neuropsychological assessment; treatment.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

FUNDING:Funding provided by Bracket Global LLC. DISCLOSURES:Drs. Pendergrass and Targum are employees of Bracket LLC. In the last two years, Dr. Harrison has received consultancy fees and honoraria from the following organizations: Abbvie; Access to Quality; Amgen; Anavex; AstraZeneca; Avonex; Avraham; Axon; Axovant; Biogen Idec; Boehringer Ingelheim; Bracket; Cambridge Brain Sciences; Catenion; CRF Health; DeNDRoN; Eisai; Eli Lilly; EnVivo Pharma; Enzymotec; ePharmaSolutions; Forum Pharma; Fresh Forward; GfHEu; Heptares; Janssen AI; Johnson & Johnson; Kaasa Health; Kyowa Hakko Kirin; Lundbeck; MedAvante; Merck; Mind Agilis; MyCognition; Neurim; Neurocog; Neurotrack; Novartis; Nutricia; Orion Pharma; Pfizer; Pharmanet/i3; Prana Biotech; PriceSpective; Probiodrug; Prophase; Prostrakan; Regeneron; Reviva; Roche; Sanofi; Servier; Shire; Takeda; TCG; TransTech Pharma & Velacor. He has additionally received royalties from Oxford University Press and Blackwell Publishers, holds patents with MyCognition and has share options in Neurotrack. He has also presented on behalf of Medscape & Lundbeck in CME accredited speaker bureau programs.

References

    1. Weiss B. Chemobrain: a translational challenge for neurotoxicology. Neurotoxicology. 2008;29:891–898. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Hodgson K, Hutchinson A, Wilson C, Nettelbeck T. A meta-analysis of the effects of chemotherapy on cognition in patients with cancer. Cancer Treat Rev. 2013;39:297–304. - PubMed
    1. Wefel J, Vardy J, Ahles T, Schagen SB. International Cognition and Cancer Task Force recommendations to harmonise studies of cognitive function in patients with cancer. Lancet Oncol. 2011;12:703–708. - PubMed
    1. Janelsins M, Kesler S, Ahles T, Morrow G. Prevalence, mechanisms, and management of cancer-related cognitive impairment. Int Rev Psychiatry. 2014;26:102–113. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Denlinger C, Ligibel J, Are M, et al. Survivorship: cognitive function, version 1.2014: clinical practice guidelines in oncology. J Natl Compr Canc Netw. 2014;12:976–986. - PMC - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources